The Portuguese Trade Centre, which is making its appearance at the Big 5 show for the second year in succession, will coordinate the presence of 15 companies at the Portuguese pavilion at the event.

Portugal's participation in the show will offer a wide range of high-quality materials to the construction sector. Customers can experience the best of Portugal in marble, mosaic, ceramic tiles and hardware, says director of the Portuguese Trade Centre Carlos Carvalho Costa.

Portugal's decorative hardware industry has evolved over the years and has been adapting to changing demands and developing markets.
Due to the increasing demand for quality in several areas of the manufacturing process, many of Portugal's hardware manufacturers have obtained ISO 9002 accreditation, he says.

Portugal is renowned for its ability to produce innovative designs with superior quality using some of the most varied processes and technologies, from hot and cold stamping to high and low-pressure casting, combined with other enhancing methods.
Commenting on business in the region, he says: The Middle East, particularly Dubai, offers good prospects for growth as the construction sector is booming with a number of upmarket projects under way. Dubai is a meeting point for businesses in the Middle East, Africa, CIS and the Indian subcontinent.

''We try to convince companies about the potential of these markets and encourage more firms to participate in shows such as the Big 5 and look for representatives. Political back-up is also provided by organising ministry level and sectorial trade association delegation visits to Portugal as well as this region.
We help in promoting trade by liaising with Portuguese companies and potential buyers. According to some of the companies which participated in last year's exhibition, nearly 99 per cent of the contacts we organised were effective.

Elaborating on the special products Portugal has to offer, Costa says: Portugal's decorative hardware industry  which has been around for centuries and continues to grow  has styles to complement any d cor. It is an industry where tradition and craftsmanship come together to create artistry. Each piece depicts an ancient or modern day story, portraying the history as well as the future of hardware and accessories.
This industry produces a large range of products, including door hinges, knobs, locks, bolts and door pulls. Designs include decorative, industrial and commercial styles.
''Materials vary from high-quality brass to an assortment of metals, including black metal, stainless steel and many more. Each piece is tested to ensure good quality and endurance.
Bathroom fittings and accessories are also included within this industry and consist of a wide variety of designs. One-of-a-kind pieces as well as coordinated bathroom/kitchen faucets and accessories are produced with quality, design and convenience in mind.
The industry's tradition, quality and precision manufacturing recently attracted Europe's largest faucet maker which chose to set up a major international operation in Portugal.
The stone and tile culture in Portugal is a perfect blend of ancient craftsmanship and modern technology. From marble, granite and limestone resources to 'Azulejos' painted ceramic tiles  the world has benefited from the country's rich architectural heritage.
There are 455 quarries in Portugal, of which 365 produce marble and limestone and 90 produce granite. In addition to Pero Pinheiro, a region near Lisbon where an abundance of limestone is produced, Vila Vicosa serves as a main marble/limestone producer. Most of the granite quarries and slate deposits are located in northern Portugal.
''Perhaps the most famous stone available is Rosa Aurora marble, characterised by a warm hue with rust veining, which has become a stone of choice for large-scale commercial projects as well as residential applications worldwide.

Companies participating in the show are:
Aleluia-Ceramica: A leading member of the Portuguese ceramic industry, the company specialises in the manufacture of white-body floor and wall ceramic tiles as well as decorative elements which complement and enhance its collections.
C Mata Export: Exports marble and limestone manufactured using the highest technology. It owns several quarries, a factory and a large warehouse in Borba and is a stockist of large stock of blocks, slabs and tiles.
Ceralfa: Manufactures wall and floor coverings in terracotta using extrusion methods and glazed white-body floor and wall tiles. The company is a pioneer in the treatment and waterproofing of natural products.
Gresco: Producer of ceramic floor tiles, in red body with a 33 by 33 cm format, characterised by the design. It will present a large range of products such as imitations of granite, marble and wood.
Manufacturas Santos: Manufactures security mortise locks for wooden and aluminium doors, rim locks and cylinder for locks. The company exports to 30 countries worldwide.
Marvisa: From its own quarries, the company extracts some of the best Portuguese marble. The company is certified for its quality management systems. Products include blocks, slabs, tiles, steps, and rises.
PA Stones: Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and its own quarries, this company exports more than 90 per cent of its production, which includes marble blocks, slabs, tiles, risers and windowsills.
Poceram: Manufactures high-quality and sophisticated ceramic materials and has a product range that includes floor and wall white body ceramic tiles.
RMC (Revestimentos de Marmores Compactos): Manufactures agglomerate marble slabs, tiles, skirting, borders, steps and risers, fireplaces, vanity tops and tabletops. The company uses state-of-art technology and high-grade marble materials to produce a variety of marble-based products. RMC products are agglomerates of natural marble bonded together with especially formulated polyester resin, which permits the reconstruction of large marble blocks that resemble natural stone.
Real Granito: Products include granite, marble, limestone and travertine slabs, tiles, cladding and cut-to-size jobs, tombstone and accessories, every kind of setting works.
Topcer: Specialises in the manufacture of unglazed porcelain tiles in small modular sizes (10 by 10 cm, 7.5 by 7.5 cm and 15 by 15 cm) in various textures and shapes, complemented by a considerable line of matching trim pieces all available in 28 colours. Because of their high breaking strength, resistance to wear and frost and non-slipping properties, these tiles are generally used in all types of highly demanding traffic areas.